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Homeless camp has become threat to area

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A local news station recently aired a story about attempts to eradicate a homeless camp at
McKinley Avenue and I-670. The broadcast was very sympathetic to the people living there, but
completely neglected to explain why this camp needs to go.

The homeless people there claim to be peaceful and just trying to live their lives, but this is
simply not true. Businesses along McKinley Avenue and throughout Franklinton have been victimized
by their criminal activity for years. Some businesses have experienced hundreds of thousands of
dollars in losses due to theft and property damage, and the losses continue to mount on a daily
basis.

Further, even without the economic hardship being placed on local businesses, this particular
camp is a filthy and disgusting health hazard. There have been multiple attempts to provide
services to these folks and get them into a better situation, but most of them refuse.

There are a lot of very large employers on McKinley Avenue and throughout Franklinton that pay
taxes and high salaries and contribute to the community. They have been victims of this particular
camp, and it's time to stop sympathizing with the occupants’ false innocence.

If they were being good neighbors it would be one thing, but this camp is a haven for criminal
activity and dangerous health conditions and needs to go. The Franklinton Board of Trade fully
supports efforts by the Columbus police and every other entity involved to clean up this mess.